JOHN of Saint Thomas. - Dominican theologian, born in Lisbon to the noble family Poinsot on 9 July 1589, died at Fraga (Aragon) on 15 June 1644. He studied the humanities at Coimbra (1605) and theology at Louvain (1606-1609). He entered the Dominican Order in Madrid on 18 July 1610, taking the name John of Saint Thomas in homage to the Angelic Doctor. He taught at Madrid and Plasencia (1620-25), then served as regent in the Studium of Saint Thomas at Alcalá, where he formed a friendship with Pedro de Tapia; in 1630 he was entrusted with the evening chair at the University of Alcalá, and in 1641 also with the primary chair. Two years later, King Philip IV summoned him to Madrid as his confessor and counsellor.
Between 1632 and 1636 he composed the individual parts that made up his *Cursus philosophicus thomisticus* (9 vols., Rome 1637-38). His *Cursus theologicus*, first issued separately (in 7 vols. from 1637 to 1637), was later republished in a single edition (Lyons 1663). Subsequently an eighth volume was added (*De Sacramentis*, Paris 1667). The entire *Cursus* was reprinted at Cologne (1711), Paris (1883), and most recently by the Benedictines of Solesmes (vols. I-IV, Paris 1931-46). He also enjoyed great success with his catechism (*Explication de la doctrine chrétienne*, Madrid 1640).
Highly esteemed for the holiness of his life, John of Saint Thomas ranks among the greatest Thomists in doctrine. The treatises he developed most fully are those on the nature of theology, human freedom, reflex knowledge, obediential potency, and the sanctification of Blessed Verzine. His treatise on the gifts of the Holy Spirit is a classic.